Montgomery Co. electrician sentenced for shooting wife in face

A Montgomery County jury on Tuesday sentenced a Magnolia electrician to 25 years in prison for firing a single shot that struck his wife in the face and blinded her in one eye.

Christopher Neal Cormier, 37, testified during his trial that he thought the gun was unloaded and that his intention was only to threaten his wife, Lisa, or commit suicide, said Asst. Montgomery County District Attorney Joel Daniels said.

The couple had been arguing over Lisa having messaged a former boyfriend on Facebook, officials said.

Lisa Cormier, 37, testified that she heard her husband "cocking" the .40 caliber Glock pistol before he pointed it at her and fired, striking her near her left eye. Her two children were present in the home on Towering Oaks when the shooting occurred on May 23.

Christopher Cormier's attorney argued for probation or a light sentence because his client had no prior criminal history.

Prosecutors, however, asked for a lengthy sentence, saying it was a "miracle" that Lisa Cormier survived the attack.